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  • May 5, 2012

    Early in the morning and late at night, Israeli naval vessels fire at Palestinian fishing boats off the s. Gaza coast (forcing them to return to shore); they halt and confiscate 1 boat, detaining...

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Early in the morning and late at night, Israeli naval vessels fire at Palestinian fishing boats off the s. Gaza coast (forcing them to return to shore); they halt and confiscate 1 boat, detaining 2 fishermen for questioning before releasing them later in the day. IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire on agricultural areas in al-Qarara, killing a camel. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts morning patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (2 synchronized) in the morning; 3 villages nr. Qalqilya and 1 each nr. Ramallah and Tulkarm in the afternoon; and 4 villages nr. Jericho, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Tulkarm late at night. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Salfit. Dozens of Palestinians rally outside Ofer prison to show solidarity with hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners; IDF troops fire live ammunition and tear gas at them, wounding 2. (PCHR 5/10; OCHA 5/11)

Under increased international criticism for recent PA arrests of Palestinian journalists and bloggers critical of his administration (e.g., 4/5/12, 4/15/12, 4/26/12), PA Pres. Abbas issues a statement ordering all PA agencies to take all steps to ensure the “sacred right” of freedom of expression, including ordering the PA Atty. Gen. Mughni to lift the block on websites supporting his political rival, Muhammad Dahlan. (NYT 5/7; JPI 5/18)